The Disciplined Women of Chapel Island

by Susan Thomas

  Claire often slept at our house. My parents loved having two girls around as they said we made the place very lively with all the chatter and noise, and were now very relaxed about their lifestyle in front of both of us. For example Claire was at our house when Mum got her two penalties (driving her cart too fast again!) but they made no secret that she was going to get her bottom walloped by Dad as they went off to the study. Dad didn't even bother to shut the study door and we heard each of the six swishes and cracks of the cane. He hit Mum's bum a lot harder than Claire and I had done to each other. Poor Mum was getting it on a bottom already having six Guardian welts so she really voiced her discomfort. We finished off the meal for her while she sat gingerly on a cushion and sipped some wine.

  What Mum and Dad didn't know of course was that Claire and I often made love and ended up sleeping together in the one bed. I learnt a lot from Claire who was only six months older than me but far more experienced in sexual matters. Perhaps her boarding school background had helped; her mother may have neglected her but the school at least had been a stable factor in her life. I learnt to keep my sessions with David in a different compartment in my mind, but put it this way, between the two of them my sex life was very lively at that time.

  Now I would be on stage at Accountability and Claire would be a waitress watching my bum get thrashed. That might turn the men on but Claire told me it didn't do that for her. She knew she would just want to rush up on stage and stop the blows from reaching my bottom but we both knew she wouldn't do that. I didn't know what to wish for, I hoped it wasn't the cane. It is bad enough in the House of Guardians but being on stage is worse and I didn't fancy that. The paddle was no joke either and the thought of six with one of those and the resulting bruises didn't thrill me. I'd tasted the birch and the thought of that constantly itching rash lasting for ages didn't inspire me either. Fussy cow aren't I? I did tell you though the pain scares me, it is all the rest that draws me to itself.

  I'd not had the strap or the martinet so researched it on the internet. The martinet I discovered had been invented by the French for use on children - a thought so horrifying that the only good thing that may be said of it was that it was apparently less nasty than what went before. I have to say it intrigued me with some saying it was really quite nice to be beaten with one and others how dreadful. In the end I decided that since I must be corrected on stage with something I might as well hope for the martinet. Of course that roulette type wheel would decide but it saved me worrying about six with that horrid cane.

  The day of the dinner-dance arrived and I was in another new dress. It was Dad who insisted this time as he said the women would expect it and looked forward to seeing all the new dresses, and if I didn't accept he'd put me over his knee and spank me. I laughed and accepted but wasn't certain whether he meant it. He was actually entitled I realised, as he was head of the house and I was a girl member living there.

  The ballroom was wonderfully dressed for Christmas including a huge Christmas tree in one corner as there would be more events yet, but it is hard to relax when you are up for Accountability. I looked forward to a quarterly dinner-dance where I could just sit and watch the other women being corrected. I danced the last dance with Dave Riley who is great company and so irreverent about everything he makes me giggle. He escorted me back to my table in the approved gentlemanly fashion and Mum and I looked at each other as the waiter came and whispered, "Lady Forbes would be grateful if you would both join her in the Robing Room."

  We made our way across the ballroom with all the encouragement one always gets when going up for Accountability. I knew from Claire that most of the waiters and waitresses are baffled by why anyone does it, but they just don't understand how that strange excitement draws you to itself and seduces you into wanting to be part of it.

  Angela Whaley came in for some good-natured teasing from the rest of us as she should have been in charge of us but had earned a penalty herself. At fifty-four she had not been up on stage for some years but was taking it all quite cheerfully. There were only twelve wardrobes so the room was full and I could see Mum with Jane, Sandra's partner. Jane looked really nervous and I later found out she had never been up on stage before and was embarrassed by being nude in front of so many. Mum was helping her by keeping her talking. Then I noticed Sylvia Dark. She looked like Claire had when getting the nine. She was white faced and practically frozen, having made no effort to begin undressing.

  I was scared, of course I was, but maybe I was a bit more experienced though I was only nineteen and she thirty. Maybe I am less imaginative or possibly more seduced by the ritual of it all but I was nowhere near as bad as she was. I went up to her.

  "Would you like me to help you?"

  She nodded, close to tears, so I began undressing her, talking calmly to her and telling her how to walk on stage and how quickly her correction would be over. I could see it was helping her but I needed to undress too so I sort of did both and we just shared the wardrobe. I'd got her down to her knickers when I spotted Lady Charnock watching us. Her look was one of great approval and I felt as if I had passed some sort of test. Soon I had Sylvia undressed. She was another woman with a cracking figure. My dad says it is the possibility of being naked on the stage that makes the women pay great attention to their fitness. Lady Charnock came and took her from me as Sylvia would be first in, but she promised to look after her and I saw her lead her off, an arm around her. I slipped off my knickers and joined the rear of the line behind Aileen.

  I hate but also love that moment when we have to walk out in front of everyone without a stitch on. For some reason I am really aware of my breasts at that point and feel as if there is a spotlight on them. If there was jeering or rude comments I would never do it but there are none, it is all very strictly controlled and the men are gentlemen. I try not to see anyone because of course my dad is out there and I don't really like the idea of him seeing me without clothes.

  Mr Whaley is a bit pompous but he is quicker than Sir Charnock and very quickly to a great drum roll Sylvia was sent to the spanking bench. The usual silence fell over the ballroom as he spun the wheel, and it was the paddle. I was staring straight ahead. No extras for me this time. I heard the strange sound as the paddle hit her bum once, then twice. Sylvia was surprisingly stoic given how scared she had been. Then came a surprise. No longer were we to stand, hands by side, facing the front. Now we had to stand with our backs to the audience showing our sore bottoms and with our hands on our head. It had to be something to do with what happened last time.

  I had to stand still facing the front while each woman took her turn bending over the spanking bench. I heard the whack of the paddle, the swish and crack of the cane and a nasty sound which was the strap followed by a loud crack as it hit. Each woman makes a noise in her own fashion. Angela Whaley screeched loudly when the two strokes of the cane hit her bum. Fifty four and still being caned in public - I wondered if I would still be doing that at her age. Jane Spence was stoical with her two paddle strokes but Samantha was not. Then it was Mum's turn.

  Mum had two penalties and was getting the strap, so four strokes. I heard the vicious whoosh of the strap through the air and the nasty loud crack as it landed on Mum's bottom. Mum screeched really loudly so it must have hurt. She screeched loudly for each of the remaining three and could be heard sobbing as she went back in line. Now I was getting really nervous; listening to all the sounds of various instruments, and the cries of each woman in turn as my own drew steadily nearer was very nerve racking. I could feel myself trembling as if cold. Then it was the turn of Sandra's Jane. I really liked her, she had been so kind to me throughout the V Auction but she had four to redeem two penalties.

  You could sense Jane's fear even without looking and Mr Whaley had to encourage her to take her position over the bench. The wheel spun and I heard him announce that she was getting the cane. The swish of the cane alone is unnerving but the sound of it when you are waiting is truly horrid. Jan
e screeched so loudly it hurt the ears. There was a pause. It is much more enjoyable for the audience to watch the woman writhing about than simply to get on with it. Then when she was ready came another swish and again she gave a great screech and I guessed she had risen up because Mr Whaley politely asked her to resume her position. Those canings really do hurt but she must have obeyed because there came a third swishing and another great screech that again hurt the ears. As we waited for the fourth and last Jane could be heard sobbing loudly. Finally she was ready and then the last one. Her screech was more muted this time as if she was tired. Even as she put her hands on her head I could hear her sobs. Dad says waterworks are pretty normal for those on stage and it is no shame for a woman to bawl her eyes out.

  Aileen was next. She is a great favourite because of all her faces and comments. She, like me, had six to come and for her it was the birch which the audience always loves. She was wonderful, evidently pulling silly faces as she moved across to the bench. She was pretty well silent for the first three though I could hear her gasp as the birch crashed against her bottom with its odd shrack sound. The fourth though produced a sort of wail which delighted the audience and the fifth and sixth produced greater wails. She came back to stand next to me and I saw out of the corner of my eyes that she was wriggling like mad after the torture of the birch, and I was sure I saw some tears but I couldn't look properly.

  "Kate Freckleton. Kate has been a naughty girl. Our youngest member and I think beginning to rival our Aileen as the naughtiest. Not long a member and already making her second consecutive appearance, this time with three penalties."

  This is what passes for humour with Mr Whaley. As he said all this I was making my way to the bench and placing myself over it. The bench was warm from the preceding eleven women and the rail to hold was sweaty. I gripped it tightly and chanted to myself martinet, martinet over and over as the wheel spun. To my utter amazement it was the martinet. Was it possible I had willed it so? The next few minutes would see whether that was a silly mistake or not.

  I heard the Guardian (it was Guardian Thompson again, a man to be feared when wielding an instrument of correction) march on with his usual drama. Then a strange sound and I realised that he must be swishing the martinet to get a feel for its weight. I knew he wouldn't spare me at all. Guardian Thompson was chosen so often because he put heart, soul and his powerful physique into thrashing us.

  Suddenly there was a huge stinging sensation across my bottom, not like anything I had felt so far, it was if some nasty jellyfish had lashed my bottom with its tendrils. It was such a surprise I shrieked, "Yikes!"

  I could hear laughter and then applause. The audience loves that sort of individual reaction and Mr Whaley quipped, "I think we must be getting to our young Miss Freckleton."

  The jellyfish lashed against my bottom again and I wriggled like mad and shrieked out "Jellyfish!"

  There was more laughter but I failed to join in, I was wriggling so much at the stinging of my bottom.

  "Come now Miss Freckleton we must be still for our correction."

  I liked the 'our correction' we wouldn't ever see him over the bench. I tried, but the next lash of the martinet was like a whole fleet of vicious jelly fish had arrived and decided to sting me at the same time. I'm afraid I wriggled so much I sort of came off the bench sideways while partly hanging onto the bar. The audience loved it and Mr Whaley let the tumult die down before commanding, "Guardian Thompson, Miss Freckleton is being very naughty indeed. When you have given her all six give her six more but make them flicks this time."

  The audience erupted with pleasure which gave me time to get back in place and try and keep still. I made a big effort during the next three but dear heaven it was hard. The stinging just rose crescendo-like until my whole bottom was one stinging mass. Finally my six was over and Mr Whaley allowed me time to wriggle around while he explained what would happen next. Apparently Guardian Thompson would flick the martinet so the tips would drop down on me like raindrops. It wasn't pleasant. He then got the audience to count each flick of the martinet as it was delivered. A real crowd pleaser our Mr Whaley.

  I gripped the bar extra hard and then the first landed. I never heard the count because I was screeching at the drops of fire that had hit me all over, some even finding my vagina. I discovered later the martinet was a special one with the tip of each leather lash coated in a special plastic which added extra to the experience. Each one of those six flicks had me bucking over the bench, rearing up as if it was a wild horse trying to throw me off. It was very popular of course, the audience love a good reaction but they do know that it isn't doing any real harm, it is just very painful.

  When I was allowed to stand I simply couldn't be still. I kept my feet on the floor alright and my hands on my head but my bottom writhed obscenely much to the audience's delight. Why do I always seem to get some special treatment? Mum thinks it is my age.

  When we were allowed back into the Robing Room, Sylvia was waiting, still naked. She refused to start dressing until I came and she threw her arms around me and thanked me for my kindness and help. I felt very grown up. As we all came back out into the ballroom John Dark was there to meet Sylvia. I felt a bit squirmy inside knowing this man had seen me naked on stage. Sylvia introduced me and told him how kind and helpful I had been. He was absolutely charming and smiling, but the whole time I felt as if it was totally insincere and he was imaging the TV cameras on him and wanted to get it just right for them. Definitely a politician in the making.

  Chapter 20

  Christmas was wonderful. I felt the best ever. My parents were clearly happy with each other which was great as a lot of my life I had feared they were about to split up. The strange submissive relationship my mother now had with its possibility of corporal correction clearly suited them both. We actually went over to the mainland and attended a church service on Christmas morning. It may sound hypocritical but everything that was happening to me made me think a great deal and I got a lot from the service. We had the wonderful Christmas lunch that the island laid on for those who wanted it. Claire of course was unable to join us but later that night she did and we exchanged gifts, my parents treating her as one of the family. She still had heard nothing from her mother.

  January came and went in its cold and nasty way and we arrived at February with me feeling my gap year was going too fast. I had discovered that Claire was also going down to London to study but I still had not resolved how she would pay anything let alone the huge extra cost of accommodation in London. She just blithely thought she'd get a part-time job but I think I have a better grasp of money than her.

  My relationship with David was bothering me somewhat. He seemed very intense about me and I was feeling strongly for him but he also seemed troubled by something and we were not meeting as often as before. I couldn't work out what was going on. I had been out with boys before David but each one only briefly and none serious. David was my first serious relationship with a man. At thirty he was older than me and perhaps that was an attraction for me - apart from being good looking and incredibly fit of course!

  I was at work when the text from David arrived. He wanted to meet me after I finished and in order that it be totally private he asked if I would come to his little office at the marina. Naturally I hurried from the ferry, alarmed because of the tension in his voice. He looked worse than he sounded, so tense he seemed almost hunched and his face drawn.

  "Kate, I've betrayed you."

  Well of course I know that men aren't often that faithful to a girl, but... Anyway I despise all that hysteria and weeping that some girls do, that isn't for me. I would be dignified. Besides I had been having a surprising affair with Claire which he knew nothing about.

  "I see, who is she?"

  "She? No, no, not that sort of betrayal. There isn't another girl. I promise there is no one but you. God, don't you understand? I love you."

  I'd have to be fifty thousand times a fool not to hear the angui
sh and truth in his voice but I still couldn't bring myself to put my arms around him.

  "What then?"

  He sat down looking more tired than ever. "When I took this job I was asked to listen to the members' talk and report back on anything that might endanger the community here. They also wanted any signs or gossip I might pick up on men who were abusing their wives - not spanking them of course but, well you know. I passed on all sorts of stuff though I never heard of an abused wife. I did keep picking up talk about Mr Canterbury not paying his debts and reported that. I was told to let the Chief of Security know and it wasn't too long and he and his wife were gone. When you came to the marina I was asked to befriend you and find out what you were thinking. Later they wanted me to lull your suspicions about being watched. I also reported your suspicions about Claire and they told me to lull you about those too. That's how I've betrayed you. Now though I've told them I won't do it any more and of course I have no choice now, I have to leave. I'm going. I am so sorry Kate."